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Originally published December 1, 2009 at 12:18 PM | Page modified December 2, 2009 at 9:40 AM

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Outpouring of support for families of slain officers grows

The outpouring of support and sympathy for the families of the slain Lakewood police officers continued for a third day. The number of messages left on a Facebook memorial page climbed to almost 130,000, with many of the recent posts expressing relief that the suspected killer, Maurice Clemmons, had been killed by police.

Seattle Times staff reporters

Coverage from the days following the Lakewood shootings

Tuesday memorial to four officers comes together swiftly

Lakewood Officer Tina Griswold was a 'ball of fire' in a tiny package

A path to murder: The story of Maurice Clemmons

Gallery | Maurice Clemmons: Path to Murder

Officer Gregory Richards was 'the golden boy'

Officer Richards' wife knew he would do his duty, no matter what

Lakewood Police Officer Ronald Owens was always smiling

Prosecutors want Clemmons' sister held in custody

Clemmons' sister taken into custody in courtroom

Clemmons repeatedly slipped through the cracks

Bank accounts may be sign Clemmons planned getaway

Lakewood Police Sgt. Mark Renninger was devoted to family, dedicated to police work

Bail-bond agents gamble on unknown

Clemmons' sister arrested during court hearing

Repeat offenders would be denied bail under measure

Nicole Brodeur | Help is coming for aunt

Clemmons traveled to meet New York minister, citing God's instructions

Clemmons' half-brother charged with helping killer elude police

Clemmons investigated by drug enforcement authorities after he moved here in 2004

More than 20,000 people expected at Tuesday's memorial for officers

Arkansas governor and Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire confer on parolees, Clemmons

Coffee shop where officers killed remains closed

Details on Tuesday memorial for four slain officers

Trusted aunt chose to do the 'right thing'

Clemmons' driver denies knowledge of plot to kill

Over 2,000 attend Lakewood vigil for 4 slain officers

Graham neighborhood embraces grieving family

Alleged accomplice used an alias

Coffee shop where officers killed remains closed

Who leaked photo of Clemmons' body? Investigations launched

Clemmons couldn't be held after 'safety net' dissolved

Calendar of memorials and vigils for slain Lakewood officers

Loyal friends, family helped Clemmons flee police

Gregoire: no more Arkansas parolees

Alleged getaway driver in officers' slaying could face murder charges

Uncle: 'He was all about money ... suddenly, he was all about God'

Routine stolen-car check led to Lakewood police-slaying suspect

Danny Westneat | Fixing blame won't fix this mess

Jerry Large | Answers more than skin deep

Public brings flowers, candles, prayers for fallen officers

E-mails show Washington state battled to keep Clemmons in custody

States at odds over warrant that might have kept Clemmons in jail

2 men charged, several others suspected of aiding alleged cop killer

Lakewood police shooting suspect shot dead by police in South Seattle early this morning

Memorial for slain officers to be next Tuesday at Tacoma Dome

Outpouring of support for families of slain officers grows

Four days in May set stage for Sunday's tragedy

Clemmons' diagnosis: stress

Persuasive appeal helped Clemmons win clemency

Political death blow for Huckabee?

How you can help

Law-enforcement officials believe Clemmons has been sheltered by family, friends

Attack on Lakewood police likely worst in state history

Slain Lakewood officers leave holes in community fabric

Furious hunt for suspect in Lakewood police slayings creates unease for black men

Grief, gratitude for slain officers

'Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom': Neighbors describe shooting of suspect

Nicole Brodeur: Breathless in Leschi — and it's not the view

RAW VIDEO: Scene where Clemmons shot by police

AUDIO | Suspect killed in Seattle

Interactive map and timeline

See the latest tweets on #WAshooting, #lakeshoot and #WAshoot

Gallery | Maurice Clemmons Killed, Community Mourns Slain Officers

Gallery | Ceda Clemmons' Damaged Home

Monday coverage

Suspect released in Arkansas after claiming he had changed

Gallery | Police search for suspected cop killer

Gallery | Lakewood police officers killed

Video | Community reflects on slain police

Video | Police shooting: Man who helped baristas

Video | SPD Det. Jeff Kappel speaks about 11-hour standoff

Brenton family statement on slain Lakewood officers

Latest on Lakewood shooting: Police searching near Dr. José Rizal Park

Police still searching for suspected cop killer

Sunday coverage

Police union sets up fund for slain officers

Former Arkansas Gov. Huckabee has controversial record of freeing criminals

Lakewood Police Department created just 5 years ago

Police again see themselves as targets

Slain officers respected for careers, family life

Lakewood police slayings appear to be worst of their kind in state history

Shocked, grieving community holds vigil for officers

Coffee house owner: Shootings 'hit close to home'

Maurice Clemmons clemency and parole documents (PDF)

Statement from Mayor Douglas Richardson and City Manager Andrew Neiditz (PDF)

City of Lakewood identifies officers (PDF)

Related links

Law justifying use of deadly force

Facebook page honoring fallen officers

NewsTribune.com | Eyewitness accounts

Video | Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer discusses Lakewood slaying

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The bodies of the four Lakewood police officers gunned down at a Parkland coffee shop Sunday were taken from the Pierce County Medical Examiner's office to the Mountain View Funeral Home in Tacoma this morning, and support for their families continues.

While county employees watched, the procession was led by two Lakewood motorcycle officers. Each slain officer's body was carried in a Lakewood ambulance.

The motorcycles were followed by a stream of police cars, some from other agencies. In the cars were police and civilians. Many were in tears as the vehicle moved along the street.

The procession went about 50 blocks down Pacific Avenue to the funeral home.

Daniel Nonelli, of Tacoma, stood with about 100 people watching the procession.

"I figured it was the least I could do to pay tribute to them," he said. "It's such a terrible thing. Seeing the ambulance made it a hundred times" sadder and more real.

Added Cheryl Cilenti of Tacoma. "I'm thankful they found the guy. My heart goes out."

John Price watched the procession with tears rolling down his face.

"I cried and I cried and I prayed," he said.

He decided to go to the procession because "that's what you do when your heart goes out. It hurts so bad."

For the families of the slain officers, the outpouring of support and sympathy continued for a third day.

The number of messages left on a Facebook memorial page climbed to almost 130,000, with many of the recent posts expressing relief that the suspected killer had been killed by police.

"Now that justice has been served, all of you can rest in peace," wrote Liala Smith.

Kyle Sorenson, who works at a Lake City car dealership, wrote: "Everyone in Lake City has their flags at half mast. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Lakewood community and the families of the officers."

A fund created for the officers' families received thousands of dollars in contributions.

Skeeter Manos, treasurer of the Lakewood Police Independent Guild, wrote on the guild's Web site Monday night: "Words alone cannot begin to describe how much donating means not only to the fallen officers' families, but to each and every Lakewood officer. The comments that are sent along with each donation are personally read by me. Many times I have had to stop and recompose myself because of the overwhelming support and compassion displayed by the generous community supporting us during this difficult period."

Donations can be made at the Guild Web site, www.lpig.us.

A candlelight vigil is planned at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Lakewood YMCA, 9715 Lakewood Dr. S.W. Similar vigils are being organized around the state.

People in Vancouver, Wash., plan a vigil at 6:30 tonight outside the Vancouver police station, 605 E. Evergreen.

A formal public memorial service has been set for 1 p.m. next Tuesday at the Tacoma Dome.

Tani Zarelli, wife of state Sen. Joseph Zarelli, who is organizing the Vancouver vigil, said she was moved to honor the slain officers, their families and all law-enforcement officers around the state.

"We know this wounds them all," she said.

Lynn Thompson: 206-464-8305 or lthompson@seattletimes.com

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